And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Malachi 3:18 (The Book of Malachi)
Total annihilation as a nation cured Israel of their idolatry, but now, in the 20 year gap after the miracle of Esther and the justice brought to Haman, the people are discouraged and become casual and careless with their sacrifices, marriages and priesthood. They wonder where this awaited Messiah and His glorious Kingdom are and was their previous good fortune just luck and coincidence. The neighboring heathen peoples are doing quite well while God’s people still struggle. This lead to one question we all face on bad days of despair and discouragement, “Does God even care?!”
The remnant that returned to Jerusalem and Judah had an enormous job waiting. But God promised His presence and an eternal Kingdom. Over the years they began to let the little things go. The scrimped on their tithes, offered sacrifices even their own municipal leaders would have been offended to receive, they put aside their Godly/Jewish wives for heathen women and soon followed their pagan gods, leaving children without Godly homes. Malachi speaks of sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, those who defraud laborers of their honestly earned pay, who oppress widows and orphans and exact injustice on aliens. This is quite a list, but very familiar to each generation still coming. Never, in any time or place, or any circumstance, will God tolerate these behaviors from those who believe in Him.
So what are the weary to do, then and now? Wait patiently and lead a life that is befitting the Kingdom of God. Your heart is God’s earthly residence, and someday you will dwell forever in His presence.
Happy Thursday,
Gretchen